STATS FCS MEDIA TOP 25 – SEPT. 3
AFCA FCS COACHES MEDIA TOP 25 – SEPT. 3
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 3, 2018) – The Northern Arizona football team cracked the rankings in both the STATS Media and AFCA FCS Coaches top 25 polls following its 30-10 victory over FBS opponent UTEP in the season opener this past Saturday.
The Lumberjacks are slotted No. 18 in the STATS poll after receiving a total of 1,142 votes – just 11 shy of No. 17 Central Arkansas. NAU moved up 11 spots in the rankings after entering the season with the 29
th most votes.
The AFCA FCS Coaches Top 25 has the 'Jacks listed at No. 20 nationally with 175 points. NAU also made a significant jump in the coaches' rankings after coming in with the 27
th-highest point total to start the year.
NAU is one of four teams from the Big Sky Conference listed in each of the polls, including this Saturday's opponent for the home opener, Eastern Washington, who sits at No. 6 in the STATS rankings and No. 5 in the AFCA Coaches.
Other conference schools to earn mention in the national rankings this week include Weber State (No. 10/STATS & No. 13/AFCA Coaches) and Montana (No. 14/STATS & No. 16/AFCA Coaches).
The 'Jacks posted their first win over an FBS opponent since 2012 in convincing fashion at the Sun Bowl vs. UTEP last Saturday. Senior wide receiver
Emmanuel Butler caught a pair of touchdown passes in the win, including a career-long 84-yard reception, to push his career total to 28 which is tied for the most in program history with Clarence Moore (2000-03).
The NAU defense also shined in the win as they forced three turnovers and registered five sacks, while limiting the Miners to just 229 total yards of offense.
Tickets for the Lumberjacks' home opener on Saturday, September 8 (4 p.m. kickoff) vs. Eastern Washington at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome can be purchased online at
NAUAthletics.com/tickets or by calling the NAU Ticket Office at 928-523-0639.
